Their Story
Robert “Bob” Florence Scannell was born on July 5, 1930, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Florence “Bud” George Scannell and Genevieve (Randolph) Scannell.[1] He proudly served our country in the United States Army for a span of 25 years. Bob was awarded many medals over his career including the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal.
Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 27, 1948,[2] completed training, was promoted to private first class, and sent to Pusan, South Korea, in May of 1951. His brother William, “Bill” was also serving in Korea at the time. Just before Bill was to leave Korea, the brothers met up for the first time in two years after their mother wrote a letter to Lt. General James A. Van Fleet, who allowed the brothers to spend time together in Pusan in June 1951.[3]
The records don’t tell us much about Bob’s service between 1951 and 1967, except he was in Phu Bai, Vietnam, and South Korea. In 1967 Bob was awarded the Bronze Star “for meritorious service in ground operations against a hostile force.” [4] He was also awarded the Air Medal after he took part in several aerial assaults. He also was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. and the Joint Services Commendation Medal. In 1970, he was presented with the Joint Services Commendation Medal while still in the Republic of Vietnam.[5]
The one thing in Bob’s record that stands out is that at the time he was recommended for the Bronze Star he was assigned to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence. He was a staff sergeant (E-6), at that time. Upon retirement from the Army, Bob was a sergeant first class (E-7).
After his discharge, Bob worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation for 10 years.
He was devoted to his life partner, Shirley, for over 35 years. He was a very kindhearted and generous person. He enjoyed being around his family, coin collecting, and trips to the casinos.
Robert F. Scannell died on January 5, 2014, at the age of 83, at University of Iowa Hospital, in Iowa City, Iowa.
[1] Robert Florence Scannell (1930-2014) – Find a Grave Memorial
[2] 28 Aug 1948, 4 – The Daily Times at Newspapers.com
[3] Brothers on Pusan – Newspapers.com
[4] 25 May 1967, 6 – Quad-City Times at Newspapers.com
[5] Vietnam War, Awards and Decorations of Honor, 1965-1972 – Ancestry.com
References
Bibliography
Find a Grave, database and images, memorial page for Robert Florence Scannell (5 Jul 1930–5 Jan 2014), Find a Grave Memorial ID 122897865, citing Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, Rock Island County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Paul Mack (contributor 47145486) Robert Florence Scannell (1930-2014) – Find a Grave Memorial (Accessed 29 September 2022).
United States, Iowa, Davenport, The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa) · 21 Jun 1951, Thu · Page 4. Brothers on Pusan – Newspapers.com (Accessed 9/12/2022)
United States, Iowa, Davenport, The Daily Times, 1951 Jun 14, Page 1 14 Jun 1951, 1 – The Daily Times at Newspapers.com (accessed 9/30/2022)
Ancestry.com. Vietnam War, Awards and Decorations of Honor, 1965-1972 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2005 Vietnam War, Awards and Decorations of Honor, 1965-1972 – Ancestry.com (Accessed 9/122022)
25 May 1967, 6 – Quad-City Times at Newspapers.com